The family of Argentine soccer star Lucas Trejo has been found dead following the catastrophic earthquakes that struck Venezuela last week.
The South American nation was rocked by two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude on Wednesday. Authorities have reported at least 1,430 deaths, while tens of thousands remain missing as rescue teams continue searching through the devastation.
Trejo’s wife and children killed
Lucas Trejo’s family were killed during the Venezuelan earthquakes last week. Credit: Lucas Trejo/Instagram
According to family friend and fellow player Edson Tortolero, Trejo’s wife, Yanina Maranella, and the couple’s two children, Aarón and Ainhoa, were among those killed.
Sharing the heartbreaking update on Instagram, Tortolero wrote: “We inform all the people of Venezuela and Argentina that the bodies of Lucas Trejo’s family members have been found lifeless.”
He continued: “We thank everyone for the support and ask for the most sincere respect for his family at this time. WE PRAY FOR ETERNAL LIFE FOR THEM.”
Trejo’s club, Venezuelan side Club Sport Marítimo de La Guaira, also confirmed the tragic news, revealing that an intensive search had been carried out for more than three days.
In a statement, the club said: “Club Sport Maritimo La Guaira deeply mourns the loss suffered by Lucas Trejo’s family. We ask for respect for his relatives and teammates.”
The statement added: “After a 74-hour search, they were found deceased.”
Trejo, 38, signed for Marítimo earlier this year after spending much of his professional career playing in Venezuela.
Trejo’s attempts to locate his family
Reports from Argentina say the defender’s father and brother travelled to Venezuela to help him search for his missing wife and children after the earthquakes struck.
Only months before the tragedy, Trejo had shared a touching birthday tribute to Yanina on social media.
“Happy birthday my love!!!” he wrote.
“May God richly bless your life and continue to fulfill the desires of your heart.”
He added: “It is a blessing for us as a family to have you and to move forward in the purpose we have together! With you everything is easier and more beautiful always.”
The disaster has also affected Trejo’s club beyond his personal loss.
Marítimo announced the death of 14-year-old academy player Victor Palacios, while club staff member Adriana Aranguren also lost her life in the earthquakes.
Search and rescue operations remain ongoing across Venezuela, with officials reporting that at least 68,900 people are still missing as emergency crews continue looking for survivors.
